Husker Insider has 4 downs for UCLA game

It was a record setting afternoon at Memorial Stadium as the Huskers kicked off the year with a blowout. It's Nebraska's 27th straight season-opening win.

Nebraska now turns its focus toward next week's matchup with UCLA, and the team is going in with plenty of confidence.

Big Red Zone Insider Sean Callahan of HuskerOnline.com has his four downs on what to expect in this week's game:

First down: You really have to smile to think about what Taylor Martinez has gone through -- all the criticism, the message boards, the booing at Memorial Stadium. And for him to come out here right out of the game and play a flawless game, he has one throw that might have been picked off, but the guy dropped it. But other than that, there wasn't one thing you could be critical about the way he played, and now he gets to go back home to California to play in the Rose Bowl. It could be a big week for Taylor Martinez.

Second down: One of the sleeper positions and one of the better units in the Big Ten is the wide receiver position. These receivers are play-makers. Quincy Enunwa -- he's a big body guy. There was that one play where he dragged the defenders eight yards, and another play he did the same sort of thing. I don't think he was tackled Saturday. The guy just won't go down. I am impressed with him. Kenny Bell had a good day. Jamal Turner had a 26-yard play where he is just coasting. He has so much potential, you have to be excited about this receiver group as the year goes on as long as Taylor Martinez keeps throwing the ball like he is doing it.

Third down: With Rex's injury, you have to have the mindset you probably won't have him for UCLA. And the good thing about this game is Ameer Abdullah proved to be serviceable. Braylon Heard did well. Imani Cross -- they gave him over 10 carries Saturday. They are trying to shake the rust off him. I think they were preparing Saturday to go without Rex Burkhead next week, and if Taylor can keep throwing the ball well, it's going to keep these defenses off balance and keep them from loading the box to shut down the run.

Fourth down: As they go forward, I think some tackling issues were there, and they were a little aggressive at times. There were times they were going for the knockout blow or they were over pursuing upfield, and they were missing guys and missing assignments. Especially on third down, there were three or four third-down conversions. They should have made the play and get them off the field. It's been a point of emphasis. If this defense wants to take the next step, third-down defense has to get better.

Copyright 2012 byKETV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.